Opinions appreciated

[Akwolfman]

Found a local 2004 TC45D for $25K. Pretty clean machine does not appear to have been abused but it has been used. 500 hrs on it, Curtis cab with heat and air, 17L loader, super steer. Doesn't have a quick connect bucket, or aux hydraulics in the rear. We've haggled back and forth a bit but the gentleman is set on $25K. I don't think that is too bad but might be a bit high til I start checking around for smaller machines cause ones this size don't seem to last too long on the market up here. Anyway just looking for that unbiased opinion, see if I overlooking something. Figure I can always convert the loader to QC and I believe I should be able to add the rear hydraulics at some point, would like to be able to utilize the size of the tractor to my advantage and figure those two mods will be worth the time, effort, and cash. Right now I"m mostly concerned with moving some dirt and blowing snow with out having to out in the weather.
Thanks for any input you care to provide.

 

[bigbull338]

the hours on that tractor is less than 70hrs a year.so the hours armt bad at all.the only thing id do is price that tractor new an see how much of a deal that your getting.personally it sounds like he is wanting what that tractor cost new.

 

[Akwolfman]

Could not find a direct apples to apples comparison but looking at a TS 5010 with a cab and heat, shuttle shift, rear hydraulics, QC loader was $33K after discounts. A NH 35 horse, hydro, one set of rear hydraulics, QC loader, aftermarket cab with heat was $39K after discounts. Kubota dealer just laughed at anything this size with any cab for less than $40K. The best deal by far has been a CT440 Bobcat, about $35K shipped up here with everything I wanted, blower, rear hydo, box blade, QC, Cab with heat and air but the rub is the only dealer is in Juneau, so ANY issues guess where the tractor has to go back to??? Juneau! that's about $1.5-2K each way, every time. The LS was a better deal but also their older model and a manual trans, not that it makes a lot of difference but loader work could be a bit more labor intensive. Tractors up here in the smaller range mostly do not have cabs and it is about $2-3K to add one if you do the work so for a JD 2305 with a snow blower @ $16K plus a cab lets say it ends up being $19K and I've got a lot smaller machine that I will probably wear out in a couple of years or just end up saying the same thing these guys up here are saying and that is "I wish I had a bigger machine". One thing that is a MUST on my list is that cab, makes thinks SO much more expensive but I'm tried of winter beat down's trying to keep the drive way clean and cars dug out. It's expensive up here in AK to buy machinery and get it serviced, you have to do it yourself or have a real healthy bank account. Just one of the perks of living in the Great White North, and I don't mean Canada -- no offense meant here guys Actually here in Palmer we're more the "Banana Belt" of AK. I think this is an OK deal just looking for other opinions, don't want to have too much buyers remorse because I didn't do my "due diligence" before I trade green backs for blue steel. Thanks for the feedback

 

[dynasim]

In the lower 48, that is a 18-20 k$ tractor(assuming the curtis cab isn't worth much). Tractors with curtis cabs show up every once in a while, and there isn't much premium.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/li...&DisplayExtraTHOSpecs=1&SO=2&btnSearch=Search


A tractor with a better cab is linked:

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6994079&

I would insist on a QA if I were in your position(so you can change tools when it is really cold out).

Chris

 

[dynasim]

duplicate

 

[Akwolfman]

I do like that link cab better but unfortunately it isn't close enough to drive to and haul back reasonably. The two new machines LS and Cat are beautiful cabs, lots of glass and very good visibility. I'd say the Curtis cab adds at least for me solid construction, pretty weather tight and since I have not found one used tractor up here with a cab at all options there are some what limited. I have not been able to find any cabs other than a soft cabs for less than about $2K ish and then you have to add shipping to AK, never a cheap option for weight or oversize items. I had a soft cab on a large garden tractor snow blowing and with the winds we get it was pretty much over before it started, shredded that thing in two outings, having a side rip loose in 70+ mph winds at night, blowing snow and ice wasn't fun. Needless to say it was an semi-expensive test. Being in the lower 48 would make it a whole different deal. I think the dealers would be a littler friendly when they have more competition. We only have Kubota in Anchorage 45 miles north, a John Deere in Wasilla, bout 20 miles west, LS in Wasilla about 15 miles away, and New Holland/Ford by the Butte about 12 miles away. The local New Holland guy here in the valley has been around since dirt was invented and is a pretty good guy, try's to deal fair but he has costs also. The 35 horse he quoted me was a nice tractor just kinda spendy. Thanks for the link though pretty tractor.

 

[Akwolfman]

BTW dynasim the wife and I are originally from Dodge City, KS. Joined the Navy to see the world and ended up in Alaska, didn't see that one coming!

 

[jinman]

I'm just going to echo what Chris (dynasim) said. That tractor is 6 years old and 500 hours. Even with A/C & Heat, it should be selling in the low $20k region. Without the cab, many tractors like that sell for $16,500 to $17,500. I don't think the cab is worth an $8k bonus even when new. I would look at comparison prices without cabs and then use that to figure what kind of premium he wants for his cab. If you can't get him down to about $22k or less, let him keep it or sell it to somebody with more money to waste. Do some reasearch to find out what a Curtis Cab like that sells for when new for a way to compare the prices. Good luck tractor shopping.

I just checked eBay and found this item up for sale. It's a 2008, TC45DA with only 300 hours and a factory cab for $22,900 asking price. Show this to your seller and see if he will budge.

 

[jimmysisson]

If there are few options up there, your seller is likely betting he can get someone to pay his price. For snow, you will want the shuttle or hydro for plowing efficiency. If you get heavy snow, you need a heavy tractor to move it. I also would want the ability to shift between bucket and snow plow, and the hydraulics if you need them for a plow.
In sum, you might be best off starting new, with the full warranty and good interest terms (you get that in AK?) The extras of remotes, QD bucket, etc. start to add up. Price all items on paper before you decide.
$.02
Jim

 

[dynasim]

BTW dynasim the wife and I are originally from Dodge City, KS. Joined the Navy to see the world and ended up in Alaska, didn't see that one coming!

My wife and I often talk about living in Alaska, but not forever. I like the cold, but not that much. I grew up in Norton County(due north, 15 miles from Nebraska).

Good luck with the tractor. I really like that version of the NH.

Chris